One week’s pregnancy symptoms

Introduction

Medical professionals typically measure the first week of pregnancy from a woman’s last day of her menstrual period. Technically, a woman is not pregnant at this point. The third week of pregnancy is the first week of pregnancy since it is the first week of conception. During this third week, some women may have begun experiencing the signs and symptoms of pregnancy while others may not. Implantation of the zygote after conception occurs within the first six to seven days. The signs and symptoms are not consistent in all women. It is also important to distinguish between the signs and symptoms of an ovulating woman from those of a pregnant woman since they may be similar.

The signs and pregnancy symptoms of week 1 may include:

• Bleeding

This type of bleeding is a result of the movement of the egg resulting in the breakage of some blood vessels. Unlike the period blood, this one is lighter and my result to just a spot on the underwear. The bleeding may last for several hours or an extension to a few days.

• Cramping

Cramping occurs as a result of the embryo attaching itself to the uterine wall. The cramps are experienced in the low back area, the abdomen, and the pelvis. This type of cramping may be mildly defending on the hormones of different women. It may feel like a tingling, pricking, or pulling sensation. This feeling may last just a few hours to a new days in different women whereby it comes and goes.

• Nausea with or without vomiting and morning sickness

Although there is the use of the term morning sickness, these symptoms are experienced throughout the day of a pregnant woman during the first week of pregnancy. It is one of the most expected symptoms of a week’s pregnancy. Morning sickness may vary from mild to severe depending on the different pregnancy hormonal levels in different women.

• Constipation and bloating.

Due to the body’s effort to ensure the growth of the baby, there is a slow digestion rate leading to the accumulation of gas and bloating. The body also directs most of the nutrients towards the baby some of which were meant to prevent constipation leading to the mother suffering the consequences. Constipation may also lead to more bloating and abdominal pains.

• Incontinence and frequent urination

After conception, the body increases the level of blood being pumped into different organs to facilitate faster functioning. As a result, the kidneys are made to process more fluid than usual hence resulting in more than the usual fluid in the bladder. Hormones can also be blamed for this frequent rushing to the toilet and at some point leaking.

• Mood swings

Another very noticeable symptom of pregnancy during the first week is the change in moods. The estrogen and progesterone hormones are usually very high during pregnancy. The increase of these hormonal levels leads to an effect on the moods of the woman making her more emotional and reactive than she normally is. If not properly handled, mood swings due to pregnancy may result in feelings of anxiety, depression, euphoria, and irritability.

• Tingling, aching, and growth of breasts.

The changes in breasts are not common in all women during the first week of pregnancy. However, some women may notice that their breasts have become tenderer, sensitive, and even bigger during a week’s pregnancy. However, after a few weeks of being pregnant, the body gets used to the hormones and the breasts may seize being tender and aching. More so, they may continue growing in preparation for producing milk and breastfeeding.

• Fatigue

During one week of being pregnant, women may experience certain waves of fatigue. This is the result of the body generating energy to be able to facilitate the baby. The levels of progesterone in the body also increase leading to the woman feeling sleepy almost all the time.

• Increased heart rate

Due to the sudden hike in the hormonal levels in a pregnant woman’s body, the heart may begin pumping harder and faster leading to palpitations. This symptom is not common in most women although some experience it in the first week of pregnancy.

• Missed period

Once implantation of the zygote on the uterine walls occurs, the body begins producing a hormone known as the human chorionic gonadotropin. The purpose of this hormone is to help the body be able to maintain the pregnancy. It also communicates to the ovaries telling them to stop the regular monthly release of the mature egg. This is the hormone that is detected in the urine of pregnant women during a test.

To conclude, one may say that while one week’s pregnancy symptoms in some women may be mild, some women tend to experience more severe symptoms. The most severe ones being those occurring as a result of the soaring of hormonal levels in the body after conception, others just occur from the body trying to accommodate the baby inside the mother’s body. If symptoms persists, consult a doctor or undergo a pregnancy scan.